How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.[Part].Section.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"Now [Gavin Stevens] could hear the third voice, which would be that of Hamp's wife--a true constant soprano which ran without words beneath the strophe and antistrophe of the brother and sister:
"Sold him in Egypt and now he dead."
"Oh yes, Lord. Sold him in Egypt."
"Sold him in Egypt."
"And now he dead."
"Sold him to Pharaoh."
"And now he dead." (7.2.75-81)
Gavin Stevens walks into Samuel Beauchamp's wake with the best intentions to console Molly and Hamp. He quickly realizes, however, that he's way out of his element. He's not used to experiencing this kind of overt expression of grief at a wake. Molly and Hamp are using the "call and response" so common in African American houses of worship.